Isabela province is in ruins

ABS-CBN News

Gawad Kalinga issues call for help

ISABELA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - Many areas in the northern Philippine province of Isabela are in ruins.

Isabela bore the brunt of typhoon 'Juan' (international name, Megi) after the storm entered the province on Monday.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Benito Ramos said that in many towns, nearly all houses and infrastructure have been damaged.

The devastation prompted the provincial government to place Isabela under a state of calamity so it can tap emergency funds.

ABS-CBN and DZMM correspondents in Isabela have reported that many people are lining up for food and water, and scores of people are now literally living on the streets.

A hundred percent of crops were reportedly destroyed.

Power lines are down and communication is limited, affecting the local government's assessment of the damage typhoon Juan left the province.

The winds have died down and only occasional rains are being experienced in the province, allowing residents to pick up scattered furniture and materials to rebuild their homes.

But many people are waiting for authorities to announce where they can get basic provisions such as drinking water and food.

Rebuilding begins

In the town of Ilagan in Isabela, many residents returned to their homes to inspect the damage brought about by the devastating super typhoon.

“The weather is much fairer compared to yesterday. A lot of people have actually come out to rebuild their houses, collect their roofs, items or furnitures basically scattered all over the streets,” ABS-CBN News correspondent Jeff Canoy reported for ANC's Dateline Philippines Tuesday noon.

Canoy described the scene as “heartbreaking” as the typhoon destroyed houses and damaged buildings and other infrastructures.

“Everyone's waiting for development from the local government. Everyone's waiting for help,” Canoy reported.

He said a couple of families lived on the streets after their houses were destroyed by strong rains and winds.

“There are lines of people trying to get some drinking water, some people are asking for food and others are waiting for relief goods to arrive,” Canoy reported.

As of posting, power lines were still down in the whole province, but some communication lines had been restored.

“The local government is looking into the extent of the damage of super typhoon Juan. But information has been scarce since they are having a problem with phone signals and phone lines. There is also no electricity here in Isabela,” said Canoy.

Losing everything

An old man broke down in tears after seeing their house destroyed by the typhoon.

Rodel Mendoza brought his grandchildren with him when they were forced to flee Caloacan village in Cabatuan town on Sunday before the storm arrived.

In Naguilan, father and son Frank and Mark Dayag immediately started the task of rebuilding their home.

“Wala naman kaming ibang maasahan,” the older Dayag said.

Another resident, meanwhile, lost everything. Their home, which was built from money sent home by a daughter who works in Manila as house maid, was destroyed by the typhoon.

“Salamat po dumating kayo dahil kailangang ko kayo,” said Nenita Alingog. Her family was among those who received food and clothes from Sagip Kapamilya.

The ABS-CBN team went to Barangay Rangayan in Ilagan town, where it set up a relief operations center and a soup kitchen for affected families.

Destruction

Strong winds and rain destroyed an estimated 70-80% of infrastructure in Ilagan, according to a report by radio dzMM reporter Dennis Datu.

The report said two residents including a 50-year-old woman from Santa Victoria village and a 70-year-old man in Bliss village, died of heart attack at the height of the storm.

Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz said some 22,000 families comprising more than 100,000 residents were severely affected by the storm. He said members of the local social welfare and development office have started giving out relief goods to the victims.

The dzMM report said Juan, considered the world's strongest typhoon this year, destroyed various establishments including the Ilagan City Hall, several barangay halls and schools and a local Coca-Cola plant.

A Chowking fastfood outlet was also damaged during the storm, with Chowking staff narrating that they had to go into hiding during the worst of the storm.

DZMM also reported that the provincial hospital was badly damaged by the typhoon.

Weather in Ilagan has cleared up but residents are appealing for food, clothes and water from the local government, the report said.

Trapped by typhoon

An ABS-CBN regional news crew deployed to gather reports during the typhoon almost didn’t live to tell the story.

Reporter Darlene Gemino said her team found itself having to seek safe ground when Juan struck Cabagan, Isabela.

"Many areas are hard to reach/contact because there is no electricity and some are barred by landslides," the GK news bureau said in an e-mail.

"Almost 8,000 of our brethren in Northern Luzon have been affected by this calamity. A total of 911 families with 3,824 persons in 15 municipalities and 39 barangays are in evacuation centers," GK said.

GK issued a "call for help" to join "Kalinga sa Bayan: Typhoon Juan Response" to help the victims of northern Luzon.

"We once again rally the spirit of volunteerism and Bayanihan as our response to care for our brothers and sisters struck by the calamity. Each and every one of us can do our part to give and serve the communities in need," GK said.

"Due to the destruction caused by the storm, residential areas all over Northern Luzon were extensively damaged. From our GK communities, no lives were lost but due to the monstrous winds of 140 miles per hour that swept through Isabela a number of housing units lost their roofs and it will take P15,000 to repair each," GK said.

"Many roads have been blocked and electric lines cut-off. It will take a week at the most to restore normal conditions of transportation and communications and for their way of life to return to usual. Our people need our help RIGHT NOW. Your contributions in cash or in kind will truly make a difference in helping them rise out of despair." -- with reports from Jeff Canoy, Bernadette Sembrano, Zen Hernandez, Dennis Datu, Darlene Gemino, ABS-CBN News; ANC; ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley; DZMM